Life After PhD

Join me for a conversation with Dr. Sherman Charles, who received his PhD from the very same Department in which I am faculty! He has many years of experience in scientific research in the areas of Linguistics and Speech Science. Since graduating with his PhD, he has held a variety of roles in industry that leverage his scientific skillset. Outside of his career in science, Sherman founded Carmen Scoring, a web based score tabulation platform for performing arts contests. He currently manages scoring for 60+ independently run invitationals in the US, he works with the Frisson Foundation and their Glee Challenge contests in the UK, and he is in the process of developing and launching scoring platforms for WorldStrides contests around the world. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherman-charles-phd-7280b5216/

Thank you for joining us for Dr. Miles Welstead and my conversation! Dr. Welstead is currently Head of Cognitive Science, and has completed an undergraduate, Master's, and PhD in psychology with an emphasis on measuring cognition in aging populations and those affected by dementia. Between his Master's and PhD, Miles explored clinical research, and after his PhD, continued to explore a variety of paths before landing in his current role. We talk about taking time between a Master's and PhD, types of roles afforded to people interested in human subject research, and about following your interests. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miles-welstead-323979a8/

Dr. Lauren Bellflower is currently a Professor in the field of marketing. Lauren earned her PhD in Business with a Marketing concentration from the University of the Cumberlands, and holds a Master’s in Marketing and Communications from Franklin University. Her dissertation on the future of digital marketing education underscores her forward-thinking approach and deep commitment to evolving the field. She has several years of experience in the marketing world before returning for her PhD and changing directions to become an educator. As a first-generation college graduate, and someone living with a chronic disease, Lauren is deeply committed to her students and ensuring that they overcome challenges and excel in their academic and professional journeys. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenbellflower/

Dr. Amber Moore is an immunologist turned diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging (DEIB) practitioner, currently employed as Associate Director of Research Development and Belonging at Stanford University. She had many years of experience in mentoring and project management, especially in DEIB initiatives aimed at the recruitment and retention of talented students from marginalized communities. She holds a BA from Bryn Mawr College. She shares her experiences as a first generation college attendee, and highlights unique post-bachelor experiences that made her feel prepared to pursue a PhD, and pivotal moments throughout and after her PhD that influenced her current role. Join me for this great conversation! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/armoorephd/ Support this podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/brielle-stark/support Interested in being featured on the podcast? Email brielle.stark[at]gmail.com

Dr. Matt Samson received a PhD and MPhil in Psychology from the University of Cambridge, where he was a Gates Cambridge Scholar, and a BA in Psychology from Macquarie University (Sydney, AUS). Matt knew he did not want to stay in academia and sought out jobs in tech, leveraging networks that existed in his PhD lab. He has since had varying experiences in tech, including start-ups, and openly shares about how he decides what he is interested in and, in some cases, when to move on. Join me for this great conversation! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsamson/

Dr. Sara O'Connor is the Associate Director of the Geo-SpACE Lab and Lecturer in the Geography Department at California State University, Long Beach. She received her PhD in Urban Planning and Public Policy from the University of California, Irvine, a Master's of Urban Planning from New York University, and a BA in Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College. She has both worked and researched in Kazakhstan, with her dissertation work comprising qualitative comparative case studies in Kazakhstan (hint: be on the lookout for her book on this topic coming out soon, with Routledge!). Join me in a chat with Sara about exploring career opportunities, working whilst studying, and how to make your skills translational within and outside of academia. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-o-connor-55761422/ Sara's book: "Civic Activism in Authoritarian Space: Urban Development Interventions in Kazakhstan" and it's coming out in April 2025 in Routledge's Post-Soviet Politics series

It was my great pleasure to interview Dr. NiLa Austin for the first episode of Season 2! Dr. Austin holds a BA in Psychology from George Mason University, a research fellowship at Howard University, an MA in Applied Developmental Psychology from George Mason, and a PhD in International Psychology from the Chicago School. Dr. Austin is an innovative educator who spends her time creating creative curriculum and advocating for middle schoolers welfare. She leverages her background in psychological research to ensure that all students have the opportunity to develop critical thinking and research skills that will benefit them throughout their life. I mean, I'm not joking: to date, Dr. Austin has created 15 youth programs/initiatives including cosmetology, barbering, high school/college prep , digital photography, young writers, doctors pathway, public speaking and more. These programs are completely FREE for students, with the majority scheduled during the school day and aligned with Common Core State Standards. I had such a great time chatting to Dr. Austin, and I hope you also enjoy our conversation! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nila-austin-phd-0a58a06a/ Giveland: https://www.givelandfoundation.org/ Want to be my next guest? Please get in touch on email (brielle.stark[at]gmail.com) or via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brielle-c-stark-phd-10726516/)

Dr. Sitathani and I go back many years -- mostly as competitors in the sport of rowing at Cambridge University! He graduated with his PhD in 2016 in physical chemistry, studying gas emission from diesel engines. Then, he embarked on a career in financial tech (you'll hear Krit say "fintech," which is what this is), and now is an Assistant Managing Director at a large bank in Thailand. His job now comprises both research and financial consulting, largely on environmental-related fund management. As he says in this podcast... he started doing something (fintech) that had nothing to do with his PhD in Chemistry, but has now suddenly found himself with a research-related role in a banking institution that's focused on many of the topics he researched in his PhD. It's fun how life can come 'full circle'! Hope you enjoy. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krit-sitathani-phd-44922a50/

Dr. Angela Quiroz works in Diversity and Equity, is a professor at a community college, and also runs her own consulting business! She holds a PhD in International Psychology, and a BA and an MA in Criminal Justice. It was a pleasure to chat with her and better understand her journey to where she is today. I hope that you enjoy! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-quiroz-phd-87290878/

It was a real pleasure to chat with Dr. Beejal Oza, a psychologist and counselor working full-time as the Global Director of Counseling & Coaching Center & Assistant Professor at SP Jain School of Global Management in Dubai, UAE. Dr. Oza is also a Global Mental Health Consultant. She's got a spectacular outlook on life and emotional intelligence, and it was such a pleasure getting to spend some time with her! I hope you enjoy. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-beejal-oza-29030611/ https://www.spjain.org/faculty/profiles/bijal-oza